Fbank j



(No Model.)

F. J* MAGKERT 85 W. J. HAGUE.

GAS STOPPAGB ALARM.

No. 362,222. Patented May 3, 1887 N PETERS PhmcrLilmgnpher, Wnhingmn. D.c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK J. lWACKERT AND VILLIAM J. HAGUE, OF A'LLEGHENY, PA.

'GAS-STOPPAGE ALARM.

SPECILECATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 362,222, dated May 3,1887.

Application led January 19, 1887.3 Serial No. 224.786. (No model.)`

To all 107mm it may concern:

Be it known that we, FRANK J. MAOKERT and WILLIAM J. HAGUE, ofAllegheny, in

. page of Gas,- and we do hereby declare the the stoppage of the How offollowing to be a full, clear, tion thereof.

Our invention relates to means for detecting gas through gassupplypipes. It is well known that in the supply of gas, either for'illuminating or heating purposes, and especially with natural gasemployed for the latter purpose, there is liability of the supply of thegas through the pipes ceasing from different causes-such as a failure ofsupply, or some break in the line which requires instant repair beforethe consumers of the gas can be notified that the gas is turned off, orfor other reasons-and if the flow of gas to the grates, stoves, orfurnaces should cease for a short period and the pressure of the gasshould come on again the tire within the grate, Src., would becomeextinguished, so that the gas, instead of burning, would be liable toescape into the apartment, and might cause asphyxiation, explosion, or

and exact descrip- Y other serious accident; and the object of ourinvention is to provide a simple means of giving an alarm in any suchcase.

To these ends it consists in the combination of apressure-cylinder andspring-actuated bell apparatus, or other alarm controlled bya cylinder,whereby as long as the pressure is maintained within the pipe theapparatus is held in such position that it cannot operate; but as soonas the pressure within the cylinder diminishes to any great extent, orceases, the bell apparatus will be released and the bell will give thealarm, so detecting the stoppage of the flow of the gas, so that the gascan be turned off and accident prevented.

To enable others skilled in the art to practice our invention, we willdescribe the same more fully, referring to the accompanying drawings, inwhich Figure 1 is a vertical central section'of our improved apparatus.Fig. 2 is a side View, partly in section, of the same; and Fig. 8 is aview of another form of cylinder and piston suitable for the purpose.

Like letters of reference indicate like parts in each.

The apparatus may be located in any part of the building, a small branchpipe, a, leading from the gas-supply pipe to the pressurecylinder b.This cylinder b may be of any suitable construction, having thereineither a piston or diaphragm, upon which the gas will operate, holdingthe piston or diaphragm at one end of the cylinder so long as thepressure of the gas is maintained.

The form of apparatus preferred by meis shown in the drawings, thecylinder b being provided with a diaphragm, c, of rubber or likematerial, which is clamped between the two parts d e of the cylinder,the securingbolts clamping the outer edges of the diaphragm between thefaces of the two parts ot' the cylinder and holding it firmly in place,

while at the same time the diaphragm pre vents the escape or leakage ofany gas. Resting on this diaphragm c is the plate f,hav1ng the stem g,which presses against a lever, h, when the pressure of the gas ismaintained within the cylinder. As the plate fsirnply rests upon thediaphragm and is not secured thereto, there is no necessity ofpuncturing the diaphragm, and for this reason escape of gas through thesame is precluded. The upper part, e, of the cylinder has an opening,e', formed therein, admitting the ordinary atmospheric pressure to oneside of the diaphragm, and so leaving the plate f free to drop by itsown weight in case the pressure of the gas within the -pipe a ceases ordiminishes t0 such extent as to extinguish the fire within the grate.The pressure-cylinder Z1 is secured to the under surface of the plate iby suitable bolts, and secured to the upper surface of this plate is thespring-actuated clock-work apparatus k, which may be of any suitableconstruction for giving a continuous bell-alarm, the apparatus shownhaving the escapementwheel m and suitable gearing connecting the samewith the coiled spring n, and the escapement p being mounted on asuitable shaft, r, the shaft carrying the lever h and the belllever s,adapted to strike-the bell t.

The clock-work apparatus can be wound up by any suitable key after ithas given the alarm and run down.

NVhen our improved apparatus is inuse, the

IOO

pressure of the gas through the pipe a upon the diaphragm c raises thediaphragm, and with it the platefor a like piston and the stem g, thestem g pressing against the lever h, and so holding the cscapement p insuch position that it blocks the escapement-wheel m, and s0 prevents thesound ofthe alarm. In case, however, the pressure of the gas within thepipe ceases or diminishes to any great eX- tent, so that there might bedanger ofthe tiame at the grate becoming extinguished, the Weight of theplatef or the ordinary piston within its cylinder drops by its ownweight, drawing with it the stem g, so leaving the bell apparatus orother alarm free to operate, when the alarm will be sounded by the bell,thus calling attention to the fact that the pressure has ceased, so thatthe gas may be turned off and any danger either from the filling of theroom with gas when the pressure is resumed, and the consequent liabilityof asphyxiation or explosion, is entirely overcome. As soon as thepressure of the gas resumes, the bell appara` tus may be Wound up,leaving the alarm device in shape for again giving the signal in casethe pressure within the supply-pipe should again cease. Y

Any suitableA form of spring actuated bell apparatus may be employed,that shown in the drawings illustrating a simple form which is welladapted for the purpose. The apparatus is simple in construction and canbe employed at but slight cost, requiring only the connection of a smallpipe from any part of the supply-pipe in the building to a suitablepoint for connection with the pressure-cylinder, and it may be locatedin any part of the building.

What we claim as our invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,is Y l. In apparatus for detecting the stoppage of flow of luids carriedwithin pipes, the combination of alarm-clock apparatus having anescapement-wheel with a lever which engages said escapement-wheel andholds the same, and a pressure-cylinder having a diaphragm or pistontherein carrying a stem or rod which supports at its upper end the saidlever, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In apparatus for detecting the stoppage of the flow or" fluid inpipes, the combination of the cylinder a, provided with the diaphragm c,the plate f, resting thereon and having the stem g, with a clockmechanism for operating an alarm-bell, and a lever, h, connected to thestem g, for holding said clock mechanism inoperative until thc pressureon the diaphragm falls, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof we, the said FRANK J. MAoKER'r and WILLIAM J.BAGUE, have hereunto sct our hands.

FRANK J. MAGKERT. W'ILLIAM J. HAGUE.

X'Vitncsses:

Il. S. STOOKWELL,

J. N. COOKE.

